This document provides an annual investors' report for Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation for 2008. Some key points:
- For Q4 2008, BNSF reported earnings of $1.79 per diluted share, a 23% increase over Q4 2007. Freight revenues increased 3% to $4.25 billion.
- For full year 2008, BNSF achieved earnings of $6.08 per diluted share, a 19% increase over 2007. Operating revenues increased 14% to $18 billion.
- Operating expenses increased $1.8 billion for the full year, primarily due to a $1.3 billion increase in fuel expenses from higher fuel prices.
- BNSF
2. BURLINGTON NORTHERN SANTA FE CORPORATION
INVESTORS' REPORT - UNAUDITED
Annual 2008
INDEX
Page
Earnings Press Release 1-2
Consolidated Income Information 3-5
Consolidated Balance Sheet Information 6
Consolidated Cash Flow Information 7-8
Operating Statistics 9-10
Revenue Statistics by Commodity 11-12
Capital Expenditures 13-14
Outstanding Debt 15
3. Investor Contact: Linda Hurt FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(817) 352-6452
Media Contact: John Ambler
(817) 867-6407
Burlington Northern Santa Fe Reports
Fourth Quarter/Full Year 2008 Results
• Quarterly earnings were $1.79 per diluted share, or 23 percent higher than fourth-
quarter 2007 earnings of $1.46 per diluted share.
• Fourth-quarter freight revenues rose $124 million, or 3 percent, to $4.25 billion
compared with the same prior year period, on improved yields and higher fuel
surcharges offset by lower volumes.
• Operating income was $1.12 billion, an increase of $166 million, or 17 percent,
compared with the fourth quarter of 2007.
• Full- year 2008 earnings per diluted share were $6.08, or 19 percent higher than full-
year 2007 earnings of $5.10.
FORT WORTH, Texas, January 21, 2009 - Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation
(BNSF) (NYSE: BNI) today reported quarterly earnings of $1.79 per diluted share, an increase of 23
percent compared with fourth-quarter 2007 earnings of $1.46 per share.
“During 2008, BNSF earned $6.08 per share, an increase of 19 percent compared with 2007,
and had its best on-time performance in more than five years despite significant weather disruptions,”
said Matthew K. Rose, BNSF Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. “The second half of the
fourth quarter saw a significant downshift in economic activity related to the global recession. Given the
current economic uncertainty, we are focused on effectively managing our resources and driving
continued productivity throughout our organization,” Rose added.
Fourth-quarter 2008 freight revenues increased $124 million, or 3 percent, to $4.25 billion
compared with $4.12 billion in the prior year. The 3-percent increase in revenue was primarily driven by
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4. improved yields and approximately $220 million from higher collection of fuel surcharges, which was
significantly influenced by the two- month lag in fuel surcharge pricing affecting the majority of our
business. The increase in revenue more than offset a 7-percent decline in unit volumes.
Coal revenues were up $173 million, or 19 percent, to $1.07 billion, due to improved yields,
contractual economic escalators and increased unit volumes. Agricultural Products revenues rose $34
million, or 4 percent, to $838 million for the fourth quarter of 2008. This increase was primarily due to
strong yields, offset by lower unit volumes principally resulting from lower export volumes. Industrial
Products revenues of $919 million were $7 million, or about 1 percent lower than the fourth quarter of
2007. Improved yields in the Industrial Products business group were more than offset by lower unit
volumes due to soft economic conditions and continued weakness in the housing market. Consumer
Products revenues decreased $76 million, or 5 percent, to $1.42 billion, driven by a decline in unit
volumes as a result of lower demand due to the weakness in the consumer economy. Increased fuel
surcharges benefited each of the business units.
Operating expenses for the fourth quarter of 2008 were $3.26 billion, a 1-percent reduction
compared with fourth-quarter 2007 operating expenses of $3.30 billion.
For the full year of 2008, BNSF achieved operating revenues of $18.0 billion, a 14-percent
increase over 2007, which included revenue increases in each of the Company’s four business groups.
Operating expenses were $14.1 billion, an increase of $1.8 billion over 2007. The $1.8 billion increase
in operating expenses was primarily driven by a $1.3 billion increase in fuel expense due to higher fuel
prices. BNSF achieved a 19-percent increase in earnings per diluted share in 2008.
Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation’s subsidiary BNSF Railway Company
operates one of the largest North American rail networks, with about 32,000 route miles in 28 states
and two Canadian provinces. BNSF Railway Company is among the world's top transporters of
intermodal traffic, moves more grain than any other American railroad, carries the components of
many of the products we depend on daily, and hauls enough low-sulfur coal to generate about ten
percent of the electricity produced in the United States. BNSF Railway Company is an industry
leader in Web-enabling a variety of customer transactions at www.bnsf.com.
Financial information follows:
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5. Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation
Consolidated Income Information *
(Dollars in millions, except per share data)
Three Months
Ended December 31, Year Ended December 31,
2008 2007 2008 2007 2006
Operating revenues
Freight revenues $ 4,245 $ 4,121 $ 17,503 $ 15,349 $ 14,545
Other revenues 128 124 515 453 440
Total operating revenues 4,373 4,245 18,018 15,802 14,985
Operating expenses
Fuel 955 995 4,640 3,327 2,856
Compensation and benefits 937 979 3,884 3,773 3,816
Purchased services 534 513 2,136 2,023 1,906
Depreciation and amortization 358 340 1,397 1,293 1,176
Equipment rents 218 238 901 942 930
Materials and other 255 230 1,148 (a) 958 (b) 780
Total operating expenses 3,257 3,295 14,106 12,316 11,464
Operating income 1,116 950 3,912 3,486 3,521
Interest expense 137 126 533 511 485
Other expense, net - 1 11 18 40
Income before income taxes 979 823 3,368 2,957 2,996
Income tax expense 364 306 1,253 1,128 1,107
Net income $ 615 $ 517 $ 2,115 $ 1,829 $ 1,889
Diluted earnings per share $ 1.79 $ 1.46 $ 6.08 $ 5.10 $ 5.11
Diluted average shares outstanding (in millions) 343.5 354.3 347.8 358.9 369.8
Operating ratio (c) 73.7% 76.9% 77.6% 77.3% 75.8%
* Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform with the current period presentation.
(a) Second quarter 2008 includes a $175 million increase in expense related to environmental matters in Montana and $15 million
for additional personal injury accruals.
(b) 2007 includes a first-quarter charge of $81 million for additional environmental expenses and a technology system write-off.
(c) Calculated as total operating expenses less other revenues divided by freight revenues.
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6. Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation
Consolidated Income Information 2008 *
(Dollars in millions, except per share data)
2008
1st 2nd 3rd 4th Full
Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Year
Operating revenues
Freight revenues $ 4,143 $ 4,349 $ 4,766 $ 4,245 $ 17,503
Other revenues 118 129 140 128 515
Total operating revenues 4,261 4,478 4,906 4,373 18,018
Operating expenses
Fuel 1,045 1,291 1,349 955 4,640
Compensation and benefits 983 951 1,013 937 3,884
Purchased services 525 540 537 534 2,136
Depreciation and amortization 341 349 349 358 1,397
Equipment rents 230 223 230 218 901
Materials and other (a) 262 410 221 255 1,148
Total operating expenses 3,386 3,764 3,699 3,257 14,106
Operating income 875 714 1,207 1,116 3,912
Interest expense 134 140 122 137 533
Other expense, net - 5 6 - 11
Income before income taxes 741 569 1,079 979 3,368
Income tax expense 286 219 384 364 1,253
Net income $ 455 $ 350 $ 695 $ 615 $ 2,115
Diluted earnings per share $ 1.30 $ 1.00 $ 2.00 $ 1.79 $ 6.08
Diluted average shares outstanding (in millions) 351.3 349.2 347.2 343.5 347.8
Operating ratio (b) 78.9% 83.6% 74.7% 73.7% 77.6%
* Certain comparative prior period amounts have been adjusted to conform to the current period presentation.
(a) Second quarter includes a $175 million increase in expense related to environmental matters in Montana and $15 million
for additional personal injury accruals.
(b) Calculated as total operating expenses less other revenues divided by freight revenues.
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7. Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation
Consolidated Income Information 2007 *
(Dollars in millions, except per share data)
2007
1st 2nd 3rd 4th Full
Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Year
Operating revenues
Freight revenues $ 3,544 $ 3,736 $ 3,948 $ 4,121 $ 15,349
Other revenues 101 107 121 124 453
Total operating revenues 3,645 3,843 4,069 4,245 15,802
Operating expenses
Fuel 681 803 848 995 3,327
Compensation and benefits 932 925 937 979 3,773
Purchased services 502 507 501 513 2,023
Depreciation and amortization 307 322 324 340 1,293
Equipment rents 232 237 235 238 942
Materials and other (a) 297 208 223 230 958
Total operating expenses 2,951 3,002 3,068 3,295 12,316
Operating income 694 841 1,001 950 3,486
Interest expense 121 132 132 126 511
Other expense, net 5 6 6 1 18
Income before income taxes 568 703 863 823 2,957
Income tax expense 219 270 333 306 1,128
Net income $ 349 $ 433 $ 530 $ 517 $ 1,829
Diluted earnings per share $ 0.96 $ 1.20 $ 1.48 $ 1.46 $ 5.10
Diluted average shares outstanding (in millions) 363.7 360.8 357.1 354.3 358.9
Operating ratio (b) 80.4% 77.5% 74.6% 76.9% 77.3%
* Certain comparative prior period amounts have been adjusted to conform to the current period presentation.
(a) First quarter includes a charge of $81 million for additional environmental expenses and a technology system write-off.
(b) Calculated as total operating expenses less other revenues divided by freight revenues.
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8. Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation
Consolidated Balance Sheet Information
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
December 31,
2008 2007
Assets
Current assets:
$
Cash and cash equivalents 633 $ 330
Accounts receivable, net 847 790
Materials and supplies 525 579
Current portion of deferred income taxes 442 290
Other current assets 218 192
Total current assets 2,665 2,181
Property and equipment, net 30,847 29,567
Other assets 2,891 1,835
$
Total assets 36,403 $ 33,583
Liabilities and stockholders' equity
Current liabilities:
$
Accounts payable and other current liabilities 3,190 $ 2,824
Long-term debt due within one year 456 411
Total current liabilities 3,646 3,235
Long-term debt and commercial paper 9,099 7,735
Deferred income taxes 8,590 8,484
Pension and retiree health and welfare liability 1,047 444
Casualty and environmental liabilities 959 843
Employee separation costs 57 77
Other liabilities 1,874 1,621
Total liabilities 25,272 22,439
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock and additional paid-in capital 7,636 7,353
Retained earnings 12,764 11,152
Treasury stock and other (9,269) (7,361)
Total stockholders' equity 11,131 11,144
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 36,403 $ 33,583
Book value per share $ 32.82 $ 32.05
Common shares outstanding (in millions) 339.2 347.7
Net debt to total capitalization (a) 44.5% 41.2%
(a) Net debt is calculated as total debt less cash and cash equivalents, and capitalization is calculated as the sum of net debt
and total stockholders' equity.
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9. Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation
Consolidated Cash Flow Information *
(in millions)
Three Months
Ended December 31, Year Ended December 31,
2008 2007 2008 2007 2006
Operating activities
Net income $ 615 $ 517 $ 2,115 $ 1,829 $ 1,889
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 358 340 1,397 1,293 1,176
Deferred income taxes 169 60 417 280 316
Long-term casualty and environmental liabilities, net (31) - 150 26 (55)
Other, net 27 25 66 162 (70)
Changes in accounts receivable sales program (528) 100 (250) - -
Other changes in working capital 64 (15) 82 (98) (67)
Net cash provided by operating activities 674 1,027 3,977 3,492 3,189
Investing activities
Capital expenditures (463) (473) (2,175) (2,248) (2,014)
Construction costs for facility financing obligation (26) (19) (64) (37) (14)
Equipment awaiting financing, net (115) 217 (593) 33 21
Other, net (88) (29) (241) (163) (160)
Net cash used for investing activities (692) (304) (3,073) (2,415) (2,167)
Financing activities
Net borrowings (payments) 557 (425) 772 234 116
Dividends paid (137) (112) (471) (380) (310)
Purchase of BNSF common stock (269) (301) (1,147) (1,265) (730)
Proceeds from stock options exercised 4 16 91 142 116
Proceeds from facility financing obligation 18 41 68 41 -
Other, net 2 13 86 106 86
Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities 175 (768) (601) (1,122) (722)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 157 (45) 303 (45) 300
Cash and cash equivalents:
Beginning of period 476 375 330 375 75
End of period $ 633 $ 330 $ 633 $ 330 $ 375
* Certain comparative prior period amounts have been adjusted to conform to the current period presentation.
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10. Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation
Consolidated Cash Flow Information *
(in millions)
2008
1st 2nd 3rd 4th Full
Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Year
Operating activities
Net income $ 455 $ 350 $ 695 $ 615 $ 2,115
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 341 349 349 358 1,397
Deferred income taxes 83 49 116 169 417
Long-term casualty and environmental liabilities, net 7 184 (10) (31) 150
Other, net 1 32 6 27 66
Changes in accounts receivable sales program - - 278 (528) (250)
Other changes in working capital 28 (223) 213 64 82
Net cash provided by operating activities 915 741 1,647 674 3,977
Investing activities
Capital expenditures (468) (574) (670) (463) (2,175)
Construction costs for facility financing obligation (4) (13) (21) (26) (64)
Equipment awaiting financing, net (173) (67) (238) (115) (593)
Other, net (98) (12) (43) (88) (241)
Net cash used for investing activities (743) (666) (972) (692) (3,073)
Financing activities
Net borrowings (payments) 430 155 (370) 557 772
Dividends paid (112) (111) (111) (137) (471)
Purchase of BNSF common stock (373) (269) (236) (269) (1,147)
Proceeds from stock options exercised 35 44 8 4 91
Proceeds from facility financing obligation 18 11 21 18 68
Other, net 25 51 8 2 86
Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities 23 (119) (680) 175 (601)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 195 (44) (5) 157 303
Cash and cash equivalents:
Beginning of period 330 525 481 476 330
End of period $ 525 $ 481 $ 476 $ 633 $ 633
* Certain interim period amounts have been reclassified to conform with the current period presentation.
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11. Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation
Operating Statistics *
Three Months
Ended December 31, Year Ended December 31,
2008 2007 2008 2007 2006
Revenue Statistics
Cars / units (in thousands) 2,409 2,600 9,994 10,318 10,637
Average revenue per car / unit $ 1,762 $ 1,585 $ 1,751 $ 1,488 $ 1,367
Average length of haul (miles) 1,097 1,082 1,090 1,079 1,071
Revenue ton miles (in millions) 161,941 170,246 664,384 657,572 647,857
Freight revenue / thousand GTM $ 15.65 $ 14.30 $ 15.63 $ 13.69 $ 12.99
Freight revenue / thousand RTM $ 26.21 $ 24.21 $ 26.34 $ 23.34 $ 22.45
Operating / Productivity Statistics
Operating Expense
Gross ton miles (in millions) 271,252 288,172 1,119,616 1,121,255 1,119,928
Operating expense / thousand GTM $ 12.01 $ 11.43 $ 12.60 (a) $ 10.98 (b) $ 10.24
Thousand GTM / average employee 6,660 6,990 27,360 27,058 26,965
Compensation
Average employees 40,729 41,228 40,922 41,439 41,532
Compensation and benefits / average employee $ 23,025 $ 23,742 $ 94,923 $ 91,054 $ 91,883
Compensation and benefits / thousand GTM $ 3.45 $ 3.40 $ 3.47 $ 3.36 $ 3.41
Fuel (c)
GTM / gallon of fuel 782 773 791 778 758
Gallons of fuel used (in millions) 347 373 1,415 1,442 1,478
Average price per gallon of fuel (d) $ 2.63 $ 2.57 $ 3.16 $ 2.22 $ 1.85
Velocity
Locomotive miles per day 287.5 294.5 289.6 291.1 289.1
Car miles per day 219.7 202.9 207.1 198.2 193.0
* Certain comparative prior period amounts have been adjusted to conform to the current period presentation.
(a) Second quarter 2008 includes a $175 million increase in expense related to environmental matters in Montana and $15
million for additional personal injury accruals.
(b) 2007 includes a first-quarter charge of $81 million for additional environmental expenses and a technology system write-off.
(c) Fuel statistics are based on locomotive diesel fuel.
(d) Includes handling, taxes and hedge effect.
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12. Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation
Operating Statistics *
2008
1st 2nd 3rd 4th Full
Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Year
Revenue Statistics
Cars / units (in thousands) 2,486 2,509 2,590 2,409 9,994
Average revenue per car / unit $ 1,667 $ 1,733 $ 1,840 $ 1,762 $ 1,751
Average length of haul (miles) 1,087 1,096 1,081 1,097 1,090
Revenue ton miles (in millions) 167,936 164,373 170,134 161,941 664,384
Freight revenue / thousand GTM $ 14.65 $ 15.58 $ 16.64 $ 15.65 $ 15.63
Freight revenue / thousand RTM $ 24.67 $ 26.46 $ 28.01 $ 26.21 $ 26.34
Operating / Productivity Statistics
Operating Expense
Gross ton miles (in millions) 282,818 279,060 286,486 271,252 1,119,616
Operating expense / thousand GTM $ 11.97 $ 13.49 (a) $ 12.91 $ 12.01 $ 12.60
Thousand GTM / average employee 6,991 6,740 6,970 6,660 27,360
Compensation
Average employees 40,453 41,404 41,103 40,729 40,922
Compensation and benefits / average employee $ 24,297 $ 22,963 $ 24,646 $ 23,025 $ 94,923
Compensation and benefits / thousand GTM $ 3.48 $ 3.41 $ 3.54 $ 3.45 $ 3.47
Fuel (b)
GTM / gallon of fuel 777 786 821 782 791
Gallons of fuel used (in millions) 364 355 349 347 1,415
Average price per gallon of fuel (c) $ 2.77 $ 3.51 $ 3.72 $ 2.63 $ 3.16
Velocity
Locomotive miles per day 296.2 287.4 287.4 287.5 289.6
Car miles per day 202.0 202.5 205.5 219.7 207.1
* Certain interim period amounts have been reclassified to conform with the current period presentation.
(a) Second quarter 2008 includes a $175 million increase in expense related to environmental matters in Montana and $15 million
for additional personal injury accruals.
(b) Fuel statistics are based on locomotive diesel fuel.
(c) Includes handling, taxes and hedge effect.
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15. Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation
Capital Expenditures
Three Months
Ended December 31, Year Ended December 31,
2008 2007 2008 2007 2006
Capital expenditures (in millions)
Engineering
Rail $ 92 $ 71 $ 429 $ 376 $ 304
Ties 72 60 358 316 311
Surfacing 48 41 230 235 214
Other 142 99 544 432 397
Total engineering 354 271 1,561 1,359 1,226
Mechanical 52 39 168 141 152
Other 33 31 133 105 121
Total replacement capital 439 341 1,862 1,605 1,499
Information services 12 26 83 75 65
New locomotive and freight car acquisitions - - 8 - -
Terminal and line expansion 12 106 222 568 450
Total capital expenditures $ 463 $ 473 $ 2,175 $ 2,248 $ 2,014
Track miles of rail laid
Replacement capital 186 174 885 773 692
Expansion projects 5 36 48 183 125
Total 191 210 933 956 817
Cross ties inserted (thousands)
Replacement capital 651 479 3,038 2,708 2,638
Expansion projects 9 87 129 418 319
Total 660 566 3,167 3,126 2,957
Track resurfaced (miles) 2,397 1,869 13,005 11,687 12,588
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16. Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation
Capital Expenditures *
2008
1st 2nd 3rd 4th Full
Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Year
Capital expenditures (in millions)
Engineering
Rail $ 87 $ 122 $ 128 $ 92 $ 429
Ties 71 107 108 72 358
Surfacing 40 69 73 48 230
Other 100 130 172 142 544
Total engineering 298 428 481 354 1,561
Mechanical 36 33 47 52 168
Other 29 22 49 33 133
Total replacement capital 363 483 577 439 1,862
Information services 23 20 28 12 83
New locomotive and freight car acquisitions - 8 - - 8
Terminal and line expansion 82 63 65 12 222
Total capital expenditures $ 468 $ 574 $ 670 $ 463 $ 2,175
Track miles of rail laid
Replacement capital 153 251 295 186 885
Expansion projects 13 10 20 5 48
Total 166 261 315 191 933
Cross ties inserted (thousands)
Replacement capital 540 839 1,008 651 3,038
Expansion projects 33 34 53 9 129
Total 573 873 1,061 660 3,167
Track resurfaced (miles) 2,015 4,128 4,465 2,397 13,005
* Certain interim period amounts have been reclassified to conform with the current period presentation.
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17. Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation
Outstanding Debt
(Dollars in millions)
December 31,
2008 2007
Notes and debentures, weighted average rate of 6.2 percent, due 2009 to 2097 * $ 7,593 $ 6,376
Equipment obligations, weighted average rate of 6.6 percent, due 2009 to 2016 244 297
Capitalized lease obligations, weighted average rate of 5.3 percent, due 2009 to 2028 1,281 938
Mortgage bonds, weighted average rate of 5.4 percent, due 2009 to 2047 97 102
Financing obligations, weighted average rate of 6.2 percent, due 2009 to 2028 278 211
Commercial paper, weighted average rate of 4.7 percent 100 261
Unamortized discount and other, net (38) (39)
Total outstanding debt 9,555 8,146
Less: current portion of long-term debt (456) (411)
Long-term debt $ 9,099 $ 7,735
* Notes and debentures include a fair value adjustment increase for hedges of $73 million and $6 million at December 31,
2008 and 2007, respectively.
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